COO Braedon Berard Explains How His Team Pulled off Mammoth Splash
By Simon West
When the world’s largest houseboat was ready to launch into Louisiana’s Bayou Teche waterway, heavy transport specialist Berard was there to take the helm. Built in Loreauville by the skilled craftsmen at Breaux Brothers Enterprises, the 330-ton, 120-foot Shine Down demanded precision planning and expert handling before its onward journey to sunny Florida. We spoke with Berard’s owner and COO, Braedon Berard, to hear how his team pulled off this mammoth splash.
From Issue 5, 2025 of Breakbulk Magazine.
Q: What were the biggest logistical challenges you had to prepare for before the move?
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BB: Our team has assisted Breaux Brothers with nearly all their builds over the years, but this one was a milestone for the shipyard as it was the tallest, widest and heaviest vessel built to date. Several site visits, engineering and planning were considered to ensure all went well for the launch. When the vessel was ready for transport to the launch ramp, the team had only about one foot of clearance between the vessel’s second deck roof and the shop roof to lift the vessel to begin the transport. Once at the launch ramp, the vessel was lowered onto an airbag system for the final launch phase. Heavy-duty prime mover winch trucks with cable lines attached to the vessel were used for a precise and controlled descent rate into the Bayou Teche.
Q: What equipment did you choose to manage the vessel’s weight and size?
BB: We deployed 16 lines of self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs) to move the vessel to the launch ramp, two power pack units (PPUs), four prime mover trucks to slowly lower the vessel down the ramp and six air bags.
Q: Were there any unexpected issues during the move or launch?
BB: With all the pre-planning and preparation exercised prior to launch, we experienced no unexpected issues, proving that doing your homework certainly makes for a flawless job.
Q: What was the most rewarding aspect of the project for you and your team?
BB: The most rewarding aspect of the job was that both Breaux Brothers and Berard Transportation are from the same one red light town, and employees from both companies grew up together. Another rewarding aspect would be assisting them with another milestone project. This vessel received quite a bit of publicity as it finally made its way down the Bayou Teche and onward to its home in Florida. We’re proud to be a part of such a fantastic project.
Berard Transportation will be exhibiting at Breakbulk Americas 2025.
Top photo: The project team deployed four prime mover winch trucks to control the launch. Credit: Berard
Second: Berard COO Braedon Berard. Credit: Berard